Communications Associate

Job Title: Communications Associate

Department: Rio Grande Chapter

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Reports To: Chapter Director

Supervises: N/A

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

The Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter is driven to create inclusive and equitable solutions to the climate crisis, preserve clean drinking water, defend wildlands and wildlife, and cultivate zero waste. We seek to build a just and thriving New Mexico by fostering sustainable economic opportunities, connecting people to the outdoors, providing after-school climate and science education for kids, and training the public in effective civic advocacy. 

Scope: The Communications Associate will work with the Chapter Director, staff and volunteers to develop, implement and coordinate communications and media strategy for the full range of the chapter conservation action campaigns and chapter initiatives using all available communications platforms. The Communications Associate assists chapter staff and volunteer leaders in outreach to the media, our members and supporters and general public in communicating our position of public policy. The Associate will also help to develop grant reporting and fundraising content. 

Seasonal Activities: Heavier seasonal workloads may occur as a result of project deadlines, special events, and during peak activity periods. Weekend and/or evening work may be required. 

• Works with Chapter Director, staff and volunteers to support the chapter’s communication needs on an array of conservation campaigns. 
• Supports developing effective campaign messaging. 
• Helps craft messaging and communications aspects of conservation campaigns. 
• Keeps up to date on new communications techniques to build into campaigns.

• Supports staff and volunteer communications skill building.
• Holds regular Letter to the Editor and OpEd writing training.
• Maintains and activates our rio-writers rapid response listsserv.
• Provide spokesperson training for lead staff and volunteers. 
• Supports staff and volunteers in learning to write effective messaging and media content. 
• Advises, trains and assists local groups of the chapter in their interactions with the news media.
• Train staff and volunteers to develop social media skills. 

• Uses an array of communications tools to amplify our message.
• Works with volunteer webmaster to update the website regularly.
• Uses salesforce and marketing cloud to send emails and action alerts.
• Uses all social media channels to boost action. 
• Develop and deploy motivating social media graphics that can be used across platforms.
• Supports scripting for text and phonebank campaigns.
• Drives both paid and earned, both internal and external communications. 
• Develops public education materials like factsheets.

• Expands our media relationships through 
• Keeping and updating the Chapter press list.
• Develops press statements, responses.
• Facilitates opinion media presence through training and regularly schedules opinion submissions. 
• Writes and places opinion pieces with chapter staff and volunteers.
• Organizes and maintains media clips for the chapter.
• Works with Spanish-language, Native American and other specialized news media to expand coverage of environmental issues.

• Produce Chapter Newsletter
• Determines layout and production of the newsletter.
• Coordinates story submissions with volunteers, staff, other environmental agencies/groups, and the general public.
• Edits and develops newsletter content relevant issues, trends, and activities affecting the chapter.
• Coordinates with chapter webmaster to input all newsletter stories onto the website in a timely manner. 
• Amplify content on social media to reach new audiences.

• Supports fundraising communications. 
• Helps develop and edit fundraising content for emails, print mail and grant applications and reports. 

• Extremely organized and efficient. 
• Passionate about the environmental movement. 
• Strong and persuasive writer and editor of content for a variety of formats
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex ideas in messaging targeted to a range of stakeholders. 
• Experience writing and delivering compelling pitches to media outlets. 
• Strong computer skills. Experience or ability to quickly learn InDesign, the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and similar platforms. Experience with Indesign, Google Suite, Salesforce, Canva and/or Hustle. Familiarity with a range of social media platforms
• Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
• Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.

• Experience working with volunteers. 
• An interest in and knowledge of environmental issues.
• Bilingual (relevant to languages spoken in New Mexico)
• A knack for crafting engaging and visually appealing social media content. 
• Experience in graphic design, audio, and video editing.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet